Real-World Cancer Treatments for Common Solid Tumors in China: A Targeted Literature Review
Author(s)
Ziyi Li, PhD1, Mireia Raluy Callado, MSc2, Lu Ban, PhD1.
1PPD Evidera Real-World Data & Scientific Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Beijing, China, 2PPD Evidera Real-World Data & Scientific Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Stockholm, Sweden.
1PPD Evidera Real-World Data & Scientific Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Beijing, China, 2PPD Evidera Real-World Data & Scientific Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Stockholm, Sweden.
OBJECTIVES: Although the landscape of cancer treatment in China is evolving rapidly, data on real-world treatment patterns is sparse. This targeted literature review summarizes current real-world cancer treatments by line of therapy (LOT) for common solid tumors in China.
METHODS: Observational studies published since 2020 examining real-world treatments in patients with lung, liver, stomach, colorectal, and esophageal cancers in China were identified from Embase and MEDLINE. Studies focusing on surgical treatment, traditional Chinese medications, or patients receiving only a specific drug were excluded. Data on study and patient characteristics, and treatment received in each LOT were extracted and summarized.
RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies were included, of which 18 (66%) investigated treatments for lung cancer and 9 (33%) for the other cancers. Most studies were retrospective longitudinal designs (median follow-up: 2.3-81.5 months), used existing hospital data, and included patients at stage III-IV. Only six studies reported LOT definitions. A LOT was typically defined as initiation of a medication in the first line (1L), and switching to a different medication or initiation of the same treatment after a certain time interval as subsequent LOTs. For lung cancer, recommended 1L treatment was targeted therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with positive biomarker tests and chemotherapy for other patients. However, in the 18 real-world studies, most patients with NSCLC with biomarkers received chemotherapy as 1L treatment, with targeted therapy as subsequent LOTs. A similar trend was found for colorectal and liver cancer. Treatment for gastric and esophageal cancer was generally in line with guidelines, with chemotherapy as the most common treatment in 1L and 2L.
CONCLUSIONS: Studies reporting real-world cancer treatments in China were limited. Chemotherapy was the most common therapy for 1L. As new cancer treatments become available, further real-world data will be needed to better understand how the new treatments are integrated into clinical practice.
METHODS: Observational studies published since 2020 examining real-world treatments in patients with lung, liver, stomach, colorectal, and esophageal cancers in China were identified from Embase and MEDLINE. Studies focusing on surgical treatment, traditional Chinese medications, or patients receiving only a specific drug were excluded. Data on study and patient characteristics, and treatment received in each LOT were extracted and summarized.
RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies were included, of which 18 (66%) investigated treatments for lung cancer and 9 (33%) for the other cancers. Most studies were retrospective longitudinal designs (median follow-up: 2.3-81.5 months), used existing hospital data, and included patients at stage III-IV. Only six studies reported LOT definitions. A LOT was typically defined as initiation of a medication in the first line (1L), and switching to a different medication or initiation of the same treatment after a certain time interval as subsequent LOTs. For lung cancer, recommended 1L treatment was targeted therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with positive biomarker tests and chemotherapy for other patients. However, in the 18 real-world studies, most patients with NSCLC with biomarkers received chemotherapy as 1L treatment, with targeted therapy as subsequent LOTs. A similar trend was found for colorectal and liver cancer. Treatment for gastric and esophageal cancer was generally in line with guidelines, with chemotherapy as the most common treatment in 1L and 2L.
CONCLUSIONS: Studies reporting real-world cancer treatments in China were limited. Chemotherapy was the most common therapy for 1L. As new cancer treatments become available, further real-world data will be needed to better understand how the new treatments are integrated into clinical practice.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
SA80
Topic
Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Study Approaches
Topic Subcategory
Literature Review & Synthesis
Disease
Oncology